Bai Qi

Bai Qi (died 257 BC) was a general of Qin during the Warring States Period.

Biography
Bai Qi served King Zhaoxiang of Qin as a general in his campaigns, fighting against the State of Han, State of Wei, State of Zhao, and State of Chu. In 278 BC he captured the Chu capital of Ying, and in 260 BC he was the Qin commander at the Battle of Changping, where his army slew 400,000 Zhao soldiers and killed their general Zhao Kuo. Bai Qi later fell ill during the siege of Handan, and his replacement lost the battle. Bai Qi refused to return to command, arguing that the Qin did not have enough resources for long-range warfare and that enemy states would attack Qin due to their refusal to have negotiations. After five months of defeats, Zhaoxiang asked for Bai Qi to return to command. Bai Qi refused repeatedly, but when it was found out that he refused because he did not want to tarnish his reputation with a single defeat, the king forced him to commit suicide.